South Island Otago Region 2021 Queenstown/Arrowtown
Queenstown/Arrowtown
Otago Region South Island
New Zealand
2021
Queenstown/Arrowtown
Lake Hayes
Walked around Lake Hayes on the way to Arrowtown Holiday Park staying 9 nights.
Arrowtown
Sawpit Gully Trail
It’s all about Autumn here in Arrowtown with heaps of people for the festival.
We decided to do a hike while the weather is fine.
From camp, it is 14 kms return with a sidewalk up a steep climb for great views of Lake Hayes and Arrowtown.
Arrowtown Millennium Walk
The weather forecast was not great for the final day of the festival. We decided to get a walk-in before the rain but it started not long after leaving camp. The Millennium walk is easy and enjoyable running alongside the river, in a loop back to town.
Yesterday we woke to snow on the surrounding hills, being Anzac Day we walked through town to the memorial.
Arrow River Bridges Trail
We started from Arrowtown Motor Camp, a nice ride grade 2. Very cold on the fingers but the return ride was nice and warm after coffee and scone at the AJ Hackett Bungie jump.
Arrowtown
From Camp, we did a loop taking in 3 different trails
ARROW RIVER BRIDGES TRAIL
To turn off to lower shot over bridge Easy (Grade 2)
TWIN RIVERS TRAIL
To the Lower Shotover Bridge Intermediate (Grade 3)
COUNTRYSIDE TRAIL
From the Lower Shotover Bridge to Arrowtown Intermediate (Grade 3)
Arrowt0wn Chinese Settlement
At the bottom of the town, the historic Chinese settlement was on our to-do list. So after stopping in town for lunch with Selwyn & Lynda Bucket the settlement was the next stop.
Then onto the Bush River Trail that was going to be one hour return, turned into an 11km hike from camp
Then onto the Bush River Trail that was going to be one hour return, turned into an 11km hike from camp
Cromwell
Back at Lowburn just for one night such a beautiful evening
Moke Lake
From Cromwell we went to Queenstown and parked in Boundary Street Carpark, it has Motorhome parking for $1 per hour. A few days ago we used Bookme for KJET Jet Boat 1 hour ride leaving from Main Tower Pier. It was a fun ride for a special price of $59 each doing the spins for thrills and scenic views from a different angle for us.
Then we drove to Moke Lake for 3 nights (no internet or cell reception) the drive in was ok, being Sunday afternoon we had to pull over on the narrow dirt road a lot (classed as 4 x 4 wheel drive in winter) This is a Doc Camp so charges apply except for people like us that have purchased a Doc Pass.
Then we drove to Moke Lake for 3 nights (no internet or cell reception) the drive in was ok, being Sunday afternoon we had to pull over on the narrow dirt road a lot (classed as 4 x 4 wheel drive in winter) This is a Doc Camp so charges apply except for people like us that have purchased a Doc Pass.
Moke Lake
Woke up to frost and fog that soon gave way to a stunning sunny day.
We walk around Moke Lake 7km loop track of beautiful scenery.
After lunch Frog went for a 6km walk along an unmarked track, while I had a rest.
Woke up to frost and fog that soon gave way to a stunning sunny day.
We walk around Moke Lake 7km loop track of beautiful scenery.
After lunch Frog went for a 6km walk along an unmarked track, while I had a rest.
Kinlock
We got out of Moke Lake just in time before the rain started this morning, been sitting in steady rain since we reached Kinlock Doc Camp waterfront parking
We got out of Moke Lake just in time before the rain started this morning, been sitting in steady rain since we reached Kinlock Doc Camp waterfront parking
Today the rain had gone and the bikes came out, we want to get to the end of the road but it is unpassable with our motorhome and deep fords after yesterday's rain.
It was a 24km return ride from camp to the Greenstone Conservation Area where the road ends and the walking tracks begin.
I thought it was going to be an easy flat road like the one we came in on yesterday in the motorhome. I was wrong it was a seesaw of big ups and big downs with 5 fords, 3 of which were deep enough to soak our shoes and socks.
We looked at the hikes when we got there and decided to add a walk into the mix but they were all long hikes.
We thought we might reach Lake Rere and then return the same way instead of doing the loop. We got halfway and found a sign that made it clear it was too far with having to ride home. A lovely walk with great views 6kms return.
Lake Sylvan
We moved to Sylvan Doc Camp, well maintained peaceful site (no internet/cell coverage) with no water in winter.
Then after lunch walked the Lake Sylvan Loop Track, well maintained easy 6km walk
We moved to Sylvan Doc Camp, well maintained peaceful site (no internet/cell coverage) with no water in winter.
Then after lunch walked the Lake Sylvan Loop Track, well maintained easy 6km walk
Routeburn Track
We biked 4kms from Sylvan Doc Camp to the end of the Road where the Routeburn Track begins.
We could have taken the motorhome up there no problem, but enjoyed the ride.
Once again a well-maintained track with a new modern information shelter.
Our walk was 2 hours return, turning around just before Forge Flat.
We passed people both ways with their big packs on doing the complete track staying at huts along the way.
We could have taken the motorhome up there no problem, but enjoyed the ride.
Once again a well-maintained track with a new modern information shelter.
Our walk was 2 hours return, turning around just before Forge Flat.
We passed people both ways with their big packs on doing the complete track staying at huts along the way.
Clyde
Staying a few days at Clyde Dam free parking good internet/cell coverage.
Limited to 12 SC Motorhomes/Caravans.
View of water as we are sitting in the rain but that's ok forecast is for fine weather for a while. We are keen to do the newly opened Clyde to Cromwell cycle trail 25km one way, the plan is to do a return ride.
It took 2 days to get here having chores to do, staying one night each at Kawarau Bridge and Lowburn a couple of favourite spots.
Limited to 12 SC Motorhomes/Caravans.
View of water as we are sitting in the rain but that's ok forecast is for fine weather for a while. We are keen to do the newly opened Clyde to Cromwell cycle trail 25km one way, the plan is to do a return ride.
It took 2 days to get here having chores to do, staying one night each at Kawarau Bridge and Lowburn a couple of favourite spots.
Cromwell
Clyde to Cromwell Cycle Trail
We did the return ride from the Dam where we are staying to the gates that were up before the opening on the 8th of May.
We did the return ride from the Dam where we are staying to the gates that were up before the opening on the 8th of May.
So we completed the trails from Smiths way at the start of the trail out from Cromwell to Millers Flat on the other side of Roxburgh. Next, we head to Miller's flat to carry on the Clutha Gold Trail.
Millers Flat to Beaumont Cycle Trail
Gabriels Gully/ Lawrence, tonights stay, Free, (internet/cell ok)
Last night we stayed at the Roxburgh Trotting Club on power for $11 so we could charge the bike batteries.
It is a 30-minute drive to Millers Flat where we parked to do the cycle trail to Beaumont. It was nice to have a coffee at the Tavern to thaw the fingers out before the return ride home.
We brought -2 rated cycle gloves for the winter and the tips of our fingers still froze 🥶 might have to try another thinner pair underneath.
By the time we got back to the motorhome, the sun had decided to give way to the cloud.
Gabriel Gully is a peaceful place for the night beside the water, well peaceful once we turn the generator off from charging the bike batteries.
Lawrence to Beaumont Cycle Trail
Today we finished the last leg of the Clutha Gold Trail. The weather has been kind, it's an easy ride with a tunnel to bypass the big hill.
Tonight's stay at Lake Waihola Holiday Park is $30 on power for 2 NZMCA members, free shower, washer machine & dryer $2 each.
For the first time, we have picked up a hitchhiker a mouse!! 🙀 only know because it's not house trained yet.
